A stiletto is a shoe or boot with a long, thin heel. The word 'stiletto' originates from the Latin word 'Stylus', which means dagger. It is also named after the dagger of the same name. Stiletto heels vary in length from 1 to 8 inches. The diameter of the heel at the ground is usually less than half an inch. The stiletto shoe was reportedly invented specifically for Catherine de' Medici, who married King Henry IV. According to legend, in the 1500s, a Florentine shoemaker created an elevated shoe for Catherine sot aht she could make a strong impression on King Henry's court. When she appeared before his court for the first time, she indeed captivated the entire court. Everyone noticed the elegance in the way she walked.

The shoe didn't gain mainstream popularity until 1955, when the modern day version was designed for Christian Dior. The original stiletto heels were created with a metal shaft surrounded by wood. As time passed, stronger materials were used in construction of the heel, such as space age plastic. After their wave of popularity in the 1950s, the shape of the shoe was revamped to bear a slender and elongated toe. The shoes are thought to mimic the shape of a women's foot during arousal. Stiletto heels are considerede to be a seductive clothing item, and are often cited in popular culture. The television show, Sex and The City, played a large part in making the shoe popular once again in the 1990s. Designer shoe brands such as Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Jimmy Choo, Miu Miu, and Manolo Blahnik, all took part in the mainstream stiletto shoe revival. Consumers everywhere started clamoring for discount designer shoes, as prices ran up as high as $1000 for a single pair. In 2000, young women adopted the style of shoe for dressing up office wear, adding height, and adding a feminine touch to casual wear such as jeans.

The main trouble with stiletto heels is that they transmit a large amount of force onto the tiny base of the heel. Thus, the shoe can cause damage to carpets, floors, and lawns. There have been numerous ankle injuries reported as a result of tripping or losing balance while wearing these high heels. In addition, these heels can also cause leg, hip, and back problems. All in all, it is hard to deny the large impact on culture that these heels have had. They are a style that will be around for a long time to come.